Swing stepper

ABSTRACT

A swing stepper includes an inclined stepper for the user to step on two distal locations so to step on to and twist waist to reciprocally move around; and a handle bar disposed axially on a base that reciprocally turns around synchronously with the stepper so that two distal ends of the stepper to alternatively swing up and down in the course of the reciprocal swing when the user trades and twists to reciprocally turn around both of the stepper and the handlebar for staying fit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to a fitness equipment, and more particularly, to a swing stepper to allow its user while reciprocally twisting his/her waist, alternatively bends and pulls straight both legs to step on a pair of pedals for coordination to simultaneously achieve purpose of the swing exercise by twisting waist and simulating treading.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

Generally, fitness equipment simulates the motions that would have been done outdoors so to allow the user to work out within a confined area attempting to achieve the same fitness results given outdoors. For example, a stepper allows the user to alternatively tread on a pair of pedals for achieving sports and exercise purposes.

Steppers generally available in the market share the similar basic construction as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings. Both front ends of a pair of pedal assemblies A are pivoted to a base 10 and coupled to a hydraulic cylinder B through a connection mechanism (not illustrated) to take advantage of damping provided by the hydraulic cylinder B for both pedal assemblies A to alternatively reciprocate up and down in coordination. Reciprocation of both pedal assemblies driven by the hydraulic cylinder B creates proper resistance to demand more force application from the user.

However, the stepper appeals to provide a general workout purpose. When compared to other types of fitness equipment such as a walker or a stationary bike the stepper giving advantages of smaller size and lower price provides sports effects only limited to both legs even though coordination of motion from other parts of the body is required. A fitness equipment having a horizontal turntable disposed to a base is also available in the market for the user to step on the turntable while twisting his waist to reciprocally turn around the turntable. However, it provides only the exercise of one's waist and is considered as fitness equipment with comparatively less functional since it is unable to work out simultaneously with other parts of one's body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a swing stepper for its user to achieve at the same time the exercise results of twisting waste and simulating walk. To achieve the purpose, a stepper is disposed axially at a certain inclination to a base. Two pedals are respectively provided at two distal locations corresponding to the stepper. The user twists his/her waist to drive the stepper to reciprocally swing. Meanwhile, a handle bar is axially provided to the base that turns around in synchronous with the stepper. Whereas the swing object is disposed at a certain inclination to the base, both distal ends of the stepper swings up and down alternatively in the course of the reciprocal swing by the stepper to allow the user alternatively bends or pulls straight both legs to step on the pedals in coordination with the motion of twisting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stepper of the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing reciprocal motion of a stepper of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is schematic view showing alternative motions up and down of two distal ends of the stepper of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing reciprocal swing by both of a stepper and a handle bar of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is schematic view showing alternative motions up and down of two distal ends of the stepper of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a limiting component and a connection component of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the construction of the limiting component and the connection component of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the construction of the limiting component and the connection component of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing adjustment by the limiting component of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing changed status of the relative positions of a frame and an extension bar of the limiting component of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a limiting component and a damper member of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is essentially comprised of a base 10, a stepper 30 axially disposed at a certain inclination to the base 10, and two pedals 31 respectively provided at both distal ends of the stepper 30. A user with his both feet stepping on the pedals 31 twists his/her waist to reciprocally swing the stepper 30 as illustrated in FIG. 3. As the stepper 30 is disposed at a certain inclination, both distal ends of the stepper 30 alternatively swing up and down in conjunction with the reciprocal swing of the stepper 30 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Now referring to FIG. 5, a handle bar 20 is axially provided to the base 10 and a connection component 40 links the stepper 30 and the handle bar 20. Wherein, the stepper 30 is disposed at a certain inclination and two pedals 31 are respectively provided to both distal ends of the stepper 30. The user holds the handle bar 20 and twists his/her waist to drive both of the stepper 30 and the handle bar 20 to synchronously engage in reciprocal swing as illustrated in FIG. 6. As the stepper 30 is disposed at a certain inclination, both distal ends of the stepper 30 alternatively swing up and down in conjunction with the reciprocal swing of the stepper 30 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

The user by holding the handle bar 20 with both hands to secure better firm twist of his/her waist while having both legs alternatively bent and pulled straight in coordination with the swing to achieve the exercise results of twisting waist and simulating walk at the same time.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. An off center shaft 71′ is disposed to the base 10 and a sleeve 72′ is provided at the center of the stepper 30 to connect the shaft 71′ so to axially secure the stepper 30 to the base 10.

Similarly as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 for a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, another sleeve 72 is vertically provided to the base 10 and the handle bar 20 is comprised of a post 21 and a pair of lateral bars 22 for the user to hold onto. A clamp 24 is provided at the lower end of the post 21 to be connected to an inner shaft 71 and the inner shaft 71 is inserted into the sleeve 72 so to axially provide the handle bar 20.

The connection component 40 includes a connecting rod 42 and two levers 41. Both levers 41 are pivoted to the connecting rod 42 and respectively fixed to the handle bar 20 and the spindle of the stepper 30. In the second preferred embodiment, one lever 41 is fixed to the sleeve 72′ at the center of the stepper; and another lever 41 is fixed to the inner shaft 71 at the lower end of the handle bar 20. A slot 721 is provided on the sleeve 72 inserted with the inner shaft 71 at the lower end of the handle bar 20 for the lever 41 to stick out and move therein thus to connect the stepper 30 and the handle bar 20. An resilient member 80 is each sandwiched at where both levers 41 are pivoted to the connecting rod 42 to fill up the action gap between the connecting rod 42 and both levers 41 for providing proper buffer and absorption.

Furthermore, a limiting component 50 is disposed to the base 10 to limit the amplitude of the reciprocal swing by the stepper 30. A damping member 60 is provided at where the relative action takes place between the stepper 30 and the base 10 to increase the force applied to the motion of the reciprocal swing of the stepper 30.

The limiting component 50 includes a frame 51 adapted with two sidewalls 52. A lever 32 laterally extends from the spindle of the stepper (i.e. the front of the sleeve 72′ at the center of the stepper 30) into the space between both sidewalls 52 of the frame 51 for the frame 51 to limit the lever 32 to swing therein. A resilient member 80 is provided at the tail of the lever 32 to buffer the impact force between the lever 32 and both sidewalls 52.

The bottom of the frame 51 and the base 10 are pivoted to each other. A limiting plate 53 extending between the frame 51 and the lever 32 is fixed to the base 10. A channel 531 is provided on the limiting plate 53 in the direction consistent with that of the lever 32. A bolt 54 penetrates through the channel 531 to engage with the frame 51. The bolt 54 and the limiting plate 53 to fasten the frame 51 in its position in relation to the lever 32. Depending on the age or build of the user, the relative positions between the frame 51 and the lever 32 is adjusted in time as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 before fixing the frame 51 so to adjust the amplitude of the reciprocal swing of the stepper 30 and the handle bar 20.

The damping member 60 to increase the force applied to the stepper 30 is basically comprised of a regulation knob 61 screwed to the base 10, and a friction block 62 penetrated by the regulation knob 61 and contacting the stepper 30. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a clipping member 63 coupled to the base 10 is provided to the damping member 60. The clipping member 63 is comprised of a base plate 631 and a mobile plate 632. The regulation knob 61 penetrates through the mobile plate 632 and screwed to the base plate 631. An extension plate 33 is fixed to the spindle of the stepper 30 (i.e., at where in the rear of the sleeve 72′ at the center of the stepper 30 as illustrated) that extends into where between the base plate 631 and the mobile plate 632. Two friction blocks 62 are respectively fixed to the inner sides of the base plate 631 and the mobile plate 632 of the clipping member 63. A resilient member 80 penetrates the regulation knob to contact the mobile plate 632. Accordingly, the amplitude of the force applied to the stepper 30 is adjusted by turning the regulation knob 61.

Of course, the damping member 60 may be summarized to a regulation knob 61 passing through the sleeve 72′ at the center of the stepper 30 and screwed to the inner shaft 71′, the resilient member 80 penetrated by the regulation knob 61 and contacting the sleeve 72′, and the clipping member 63; and two friction blocks are respectively provided on the sleeve 72′ and below the clipping member 63 to achieve the same purpose of regulating the amplitude of the force applied to the stepper 30 by turning the regulation knob 61. The bolt 54 is directly fastened above where the frame 51 of the limiting component 50 is pivoted to couple the bolt 54 to the inner shaft 71′ of the base 10 to achieve the same purpose of adjusting the amplitude of the reciprocal swing of the stepper 30 by regulating the torque of the bolt 54 to change the relative positions between the frame 51 and the lever 32.

The prevent invention provides a swing stepper for the user to achieve the exercise purpose of twisting his/her waist and simulating the walk at the same time, and the application for a utility patent is duly filed accordingly. However, it is to be noted that that the preferred embodiments disclosed in the specification and the accompanying drawings are not limiting the present invention; and that any construction, installation, or characteristics that is same or similar to that of the present invention should fall within the scope of the purposes and claims of the present invention. 

1. A swing stepper includes: a base related to the primary mechanical structure to accommodate all related members; and a stepper axially disposed at a certain inclination to the base with both distal ends to be stepped on by the user to alternatively swing up and down in the course of the reciprocal swing of the stepper.
 2. The swing stepper of claim 1, wherein two pedals are respectively provided on both distal ends of the stepper.
 3. The swing stepper of claim 1, wherein a limiting component is provided to the base; the limiting component being comprised of a frame with two sidewalls, a lever laterally extending from the spindle of the stepper to penetrate into where between both sidewalls for the movement of the lever being confined therein to limit the amplitude of the reciprocal swing of the stepper; a resilient member being disposed at the tail of the lever to buffer the impact between the lever against both sidewalls; the bottom of the frame being pivoted to the base; and a bolt being fastened to the frame to change the relative position of the frame to the lever by turning the bolt to adjust the amplitude of the reciprocal swing of the stepper.
 4. The swing stepper of claim 1, wherein a damping member is disposed at the relative position of the stepper to the base; the damping member being adapted with a regulation knob fastened to the base, a friction block contacting the stepper being provided penetrating the regulation knob; a clipping member coupled to the base being provided to the damping member; the clipping member including a base plate and a mobile plate; the regulation knob penetrating through the mobile plate and fastened to the base plate; an extension plate being fixed to the spindle of the stepper to penetrate into the space between the base plate and the mobile plate; two friction blocks being respectively fixed to the inner sides of the base plate and the mobile plate; and a resilient pad being inserted to the regulation knob to contact the mobile plate.
 5. The swing stepper of claim 1, wherein an inner shaft is off center inserted to the base; a sleeve being inserted onto the inner shaft at the center of the stepper; a damping member being provided at the moving position of the stepper in relation to the base; the damping member being provided with a regulation knob penetrating the sleeve and fastened to the inner shaft, and the regulation knob being penetrated by a resilient pad, a clipping member and a friction block contacting the sleeve.
 6. A swing stepper includes a base related to the primary mechanical structure to accommodate all related members; and a stepper axially disposed at a certain inclination to the base with both distal ends to be stepped on by the user; a handle bar axially provided to the base for the user to hold onto; and a connection component disposed at where between the stepper and the handlebar to link the handle bar and the stepper; both distal ends of the base alternatively swing up and down in the course of the reciprocal swing of the stepper; and the handle bar synchronously swinging with the stepper.
 7. The swing stepper of claim 6, wherein two pedals are respectively provided on both distal ends of the stepper.
 8. The swing stepper of claim 6, wherein the connection component has a lever each fixed to the handle bar and the spindle of the stepper; a connecting rod being pivoted to where between both levers, and a resilient member being each sandwiched at where both levers being respectively pivoted to the connecting rod.
 9. The swing stepper of claim 6, wherein the connection component has a lever each respectively fixed to the handle and the spindle of the stepper; both levers being coupled by a connecting rod; a sleeve being vertically disposed to the base; an inner shaft being provided at the lower end of the handle bar to be inserted into the sleeve; one lever of the connection component being fixed to the inner shaft; and a slot being provided to the sleeve for the lever to stick out and move therein.
 10. The swing stepper of claim 6, wherein a sleeve is vertically provided to the base, two lateral handles is provided at the top of a post of the handle bar, and an inner shaft is provided at the lower end of the post to penetrate into the sleeve and connected to the post by means of a clamp.
 11. The swing stepper of claim 6, wherein a limiting component being disposed at the base includes a frame with the extension lever from the stepper to penetrate both sidewalls of the frame; the swing of the extension lever being confined at where between both sidewalls; the frame including two vertical sidewalls with the bottom of the frame pivoted to the base; a limiting plate being fixed to the base and extending to reach at where between the frame and the extension lever; a channel in the same direction of that of the extension lever being provided on the limiting plate; a bolt penetrating through the channel and fastened to the frame; the bolt and the liming plate to secure the relative positions of the frame and the extension lever; a bolt being screwed to the frame to change the relative positions of the frame and the extension lever by turning the bolt to adjust the amplitude of the reciprocal swing of the stepper; and a resilient member being disposed at the tail of the extension lever to buffer the impacts of the extension lever against both sidewalls of the frame.
 12. The swing stepper of claim 6, wherein a damping member is disposed at the moving position of the stepper in relation to the base; the damping member includes a clipping member coupled to the base; the clipping member being comprised of a base plate and a mobile plate; a regulation knob penetrating the mobile plate and fastened to the base plate; a friction block contacting the stepper being provided to penetrate the regulation knob; an extension plate being fixed to the spindle of the stepper to penetrate into where between the base plate and the mobile plate; two friction blocks being respectively fixed to the inner sides of the base plate and the mobile plate; and a resilient member contacting the mobile plate being provided to penetrate the regulation knob.
 13. The swing stepper of claim 6, wherein an inner shaft is off center inserted to the base; a sleeve being inserted onto the inner shaft at the center of the stepper; a damping member being provided at the moving position of the stepper in relation to the base; the damping member being provided with a regulation knob penetrating the sleeve and fastened to the inner shaft, the regulation knob being penetrated by a resilient member and a clipping member that contact the sleeve, and two friction blocks being respectively on the sleeve and below the clipping member. 